Track-sweeper



(No Model.)

C. OOUGHLIN. TRACK SWEE'PER. n No. 435,404. Patented Sept. 2, 1890.

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-' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CORNELIUS CCUGHLIN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

TRACK-SWEEPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,404, dated September 2, 1890. l

Application iiled January 13, 1890. Serial No. 336.751. (No model.)

gOhio, have invented a certain new and use fullmprovement in Track-Sweepers, of which the'jfollowing is a specification. e My invention applies, generally, to keeping clean the rails of street-car tracks, but more particularly to the curves and switches thereof. The method at present in use is to have laborers make the circuit ofthe road, who with a broom and a pointed tool sweep and dig out the dust, mud, snow, or ice, as the case may be, from the curves and switches. This has proved to be expensive, involves too much time, besides being unsatisfactory in its results; and the object of my invention is to cure these defects. To that end I equip a car with a brush, preferably of steel, which is in a vertical line with one of the tracks, and so arranged, through certain levers which are operated by the driver with his foot, that when desired it can be dropped, permitting it to come into Contact with the rail, curve, or switch, cleaning either or all from any accumulation which had settled thereon or therein, after which the foot-pressure is removed and the brush returnsy to its normal position. My invention will readily be understood from the description which I will give and by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of my application, in which- Figure l is a side view of the front portion of a car, showing my device applied and the manner in which it is operated. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front View with the lid removed from the boxing, and shows the interior spring and the brush in their norma-l positions-that is, raised from off the track. Fig. 3 is also a front View, but shows the boxing closed and the brush forced down into the curve.

A represents the car, and B the front platform thereof, while C is the dashboard.

D is ahead-block fastened to the bottom of the car in a line with one of the wheels. To this head-block is firmly attached the boxing E, which contains the pressure-bar P. Encircling this pressure-bar is a spiral spring S, (shown in Fig. 2,) its upper end impinging against a collar c on top of said bar, while its other end rests against the bottom of the boxing, as shown. Instead of such a spring, rubber or some other flexible or elastic material may be employed, if desired.

L is a lever pivoted at its rear end to the pressurebar P and at its front end to the upright rod M, the fulcrum-pointbeing between said bar and uprightlever, as shown at F, Fig. l.

T is a foot-treadle connected to the upper end of rod M. This treadle is fulcrumed to an upright piece U, as shown in said figure.

To the bottom of the pressure-bar P is attached a slotted arm R, to which is affixed the brush. The object of having a slot in the arm R is to afford means ot' adjustment through the screw or bolt b and compensate for the wear of the brush, at the same time enabling the brush to so swing or oscillate that it may adapt itself to the twists and turns or other movements of the car.

V, Fig. l, represents a straight car-rail, while V, Fig. 3, indicates a curve or switch, thus showing the application of my improvement to the different forms met with.

The lid of the boxing is provided with a slot J, as shown in Fig. 3, in order to permit the rear end of lever L to have the desired play when operating the brush.

It will readilybe seen that when the treadle T is operated it will raise link M, carrying with it the forward end of lever L. This move ment will depress the rear end of lever L, the depression being communicated to the pressure-bar P and its afiixed arm R and brush G. As long as the fool-pressure is" applied the brush will be held to its work. lVhen. the pressure is removed, the parts are returned to their normal position through the instrumentality of spring S, as will be readily observed.

My improvement need not of a necessity be applied to every car on a line. Two cars so equipped will be sufficient, one brush being attached to the right-hai'id side of one car, the other on the left-hand side of theother. For all practical purposes this arrangement will be ample and the desired object attained.

It will be rcadilyseen that my improvement is a simple and inexpensive one, easily constructed, easily operated, and that its use IOO would be @saving of time and money, besides accomplishing the Work desired in the most eleient manner.

What I therefore claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

As applied to near, thc boxing E,provided with slotted lid, the said boxing holdingr the rear cnd of lever L,tl1e pressure-bar P, encircled by spring S, in combination with :Ld-

justable erm R, its affixed brush G, the said lo brush being operated by treadle T, intermediae'link M, and lever L, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

CORNELIUS COUGHLIN. Witnesses:

W. ELLWooD WYNNE,

JERE. F. TWOHIG. 

